Device and method for treatment of mitral insufficiency

Abstract

A device for treatment of mitral annulus dilatation comprises an elongate body having two states. In a first of these states the elongate body is insertable into the coronary sinus and has a shape adapting to the shape of the coronary sinus. When positioned in the coronary sinus, the elongate body is transferable to the second state assuming a reduced radius of curvature, whereby the radius of curvature of the coronary sinus and the radius of curvature as well as the circumference of the mitral annulus is reduced.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A device for treatment of mitral annulus dilatation, comprising an elongate body having such dimensions as to be insertable into the coronary sinus and having two states, in a first of which the elongate body has a shape that is adaptable to the shape of the coronary sinus, and to the second of which the elongate body is transferable from the said first state assuming a reduced radius of curvature, whereby the radius of curvature of the coronary sinus is reduced as well as the circumference of the mitral valve annulus, when the elongate body is positioned in the coronary sinus. 
     
     
       2. A device according to claim  1 , further comprising means for the transfer of the elongate body to the second state by bending and shortening it from a larger radius of curvature to a smaller radius of curvature. 
     
     
       3. A device according to claim  2 , wherein said transfer means comprises means for bending and shortening the elongate body by a contraction thereof. 
     
     
       4. A device according to claim  1 , wherein the elongate body comprises a memory material providing the transfer to the second state. 
     
     
       5. A device according to claim  1 , wherein the elongate body comprises a stent. 
     
     
       6. A device according to claim  2 , wherein the elongate body comprises several stent sections and said bending means comprises wires for shortening the distance between the stent sections. 
     
     
       7. A method of reducing the circumference of the mitral valve annulus, comprising inserting an elongate body into the coronary sinus in the vicinity of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve, and providing a bending and shortening of the elongate body when positioned in the coronary sinus so as to reduce the curvature of the coronary sinus and thereby reduce the radius of circumference of the mitral valve annulus. 
     
     
       8. A method according to claim  7 , wherein said bending and shortening of the elongate body is provided by a contraction thereof. 
     
     
       9. A method according to claim  7 , wherein a memory material is used in the elongate body for providing the transfer to the second state. 
     
     
       10. A method according to claim  7 , wherein the elongate body is made from several stent sections and wires are used for shortening the distance between the stent sections in order to bend the elongate body.